Posted on 07/15/2006 12:12:39 AM PDT by MinorityRepublican
London-based Arabic language newspaper Al-Hayat says Israel gave Syria 72 hours to stop Hizbullahs activity, bring about release of kidnapped IDF troops. Israel will not end military activity until new situation created that will prevent Syria, Iran from using terror organizations to threaten its security, newspaper quotes Pentagon official as saying Roee Nahmias
The London-based Arabic language newspaper Al-Hayat reported Saturday that Washington has information according to which Israel gave Damascus 72 hours to stop Hizbullahs activity along the Lebanon-Israel border and bring about the release the two kidnapped IDF soldiers or it would launch an offensive with disastrous consequences.
The report said a senior Pentagon source warned that should the Arab world and international community fail in the efforts to convince
Syria to pressure Hizbullah into releasing the soldiers and halt the current escalation Israel may attack targets in the country.
Al-Hayat quoted the source as saying that the US cannot rule out the possibility of an Israeli strike in Syria, this despite the fact that the Bush administration has asked Israel to refrain from any military activity that may result in civilian casualties.
'Hizbullah made the same mistake'
The report also mentioned that President George W. Bush has repeatedly put much of the blame for the recent escalation on Syria.
It is no coincidence that the Hizbullah operation comes at a time when the international community is working to impose sanctions on Iran due to its nuclear program and settle the score with Syria by establishing an international court to try those behind the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, the Pentagon source said.
According to the source, Hizbullah made the same mistake as Hamas when it did not predict the ramifications of its actions and ignored the regional and international changes since the fall of Saddam Hussein.
The source said that Israel has indicated that it will not end its military activity until a new situation is created that will prevent Syria and Iran from using terror organizations, such as Hamas and Hizbullah, to threaten its security.
A real possibility that Israel is calling up all her reserves not for operations in Lebanon but in Syria.
Somehow I can't help but believe the real target is Iran.
Hopefully the US is getting ready for uprisings in Iraq in conjunction with this. Sadr already said he was going to attack US Forces if we keep supporting Israel. That would be a good thing IMHO as we could wipe out his militia and be done with it.
Well... if they are going to spank Syria, might as well use that plan I'm sure they've been rehearsing to hit Iran and de-nukeisize them.
Should also keep an eye out here in the U.S.. The Iranian Mahdi Wannabe recently warned anyone who supports Israel. We can expect any terrorist cells the Iranians have to go active if Syria and Israel start exchanging blows. That brings the battle to Iran's doorstep and more or less forces their hand.
"Pedakaris alive or Rasuli dead"
There's a lot to be said for the direct approach.
They shouldn't leave civilians in occupied zones...
Use thier Arab "Bretheren's" example and drive them before tanks into a neighbor...
I plan no more pings. But this topic is very interesting.
Here's a ping within the ping, a good idea from BurbankKarl:
7/15: Middle East Live Thread
7/15/06 | me
Posted on 07/14/2006 9:08:50 PM EDT by BurbankKarl
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1666027/posts
Maybe. Both Syria and Iran need serious regime makeovers.
But Syria is setting itself up as a target, while Iran is not. It's Syria that is clearly allowing Hamas to direct operations against Israel from their territory. And it's Syria who couldn't resist boasting that they fully supported Hizbullah's attacks on Israel. So it's Syria that will now be made to either kneel or pay.
But that's ok, because Syria is the easier target. Strategically, it makes sense to eliminate Syria first before Iran.
Iran has a mutual defense pact with Syria and I suspect that within 72 hours they will be renegging on that defense pact. What are they going to do? Stick their nose into a fight between Israel and Syria with the US on either side of their borders? President ammadjehad might be crazy enough to attack the U.S., but I really doubt it.
Milquetoastee diplomacy only delays the inevitable until a much more dangerous time. "Go" for launch. No alternative. No better time than now. 'finger, hand, arm---body.'
Friends in Israel tell me the call up is huge and highly unusual.
Don't forget Sadr's militia when listing Iran's terror groups.
I've been hearing warnings to that effect for almost two years now.
If you go, go armed, and don't let them get to "akbar" before you drop them.
Let's hope you're right. If the Israelis take out Syria, the terrorists would have to find another route to get to Iraq.
I am postmarking this comment in case you're right and Israel do attack Syria on Monday.
Israel bitchslaps Assad again.
....And then you woke up!
Mebbe I'm the butterfly.........
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.